Lancaster-based highways consultancy Gaist to create 15 jobs with £200k funding

Digital highways asset management consultancy Gaist Holdings Limited is set to create over a dozen jobs after receiving a six-figure loan.

Gaist will use the £200k cash from the Lancashire Rosebud Finance fund to expand its specialist vehicle fleet, invest in research and development, and take on 15 new members of staff.

The company, which is based at InfoLab21 on Lancaster University’s campus, was founded last year following a management buyout of two separate firms, Gaist Solutions Limited and Gaist Technologies Limited.

The combined company has since grown rapidly and today manages contracts across a host of public and private sector organisations, including various local councils.

Gaist was also involved in the 2014 Tour de France, helping to co-ordinate the planning and logistics for the first stage in Yorkshire.

Steve Birdsall, Gaist’s managing director, said: “It is always important for growing businesses to be able to access the finance they need to move up a gear.

“We are very grateful to Lancashire Rosebud Finance for this business loan which will mean we can now put people and plans in place to meet the growing demand for our services, not only in this country but also overseas.”

Lancashire Rosebud Finance is managed by business loan provider Enterprise Ventures for Lancashire County Developments Limited (LCDL), Lancashire County Council’s economic development arm.

Enterprise Ventures investment manager Peter Rooney commented: “Gaist Holdings is the perfect example of the potential Lancashire businesses have to grow into profitable organisations that create jobs for the region.

“Under Steve’s strong management, Gaist has successfully established itself as a well-respected, professional business that provides high quality services to private and public organisations across the UK.”

He added: “We look forward to working with the business further as it increases its fleet and takes on further projects at a government level.”

Chair of LCDL, Cllr Niki Penney, said: “The team at Gaist provides services to the county council’s highways teams, as well as other councils. We’re well aware of the quality service that they provide.

“Gaist is looking to expand with help and support from Rosebud, which will help to create new highly-skilled jobs. This is another of Lancashire’s cutting edge research-based businesses, and we’re pleased to support their ambitions in this way.”